US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Embattled UN Ambassador Susan Rice has taken her name out of the race for secretary of state, three months after her controversial comments on the Benghazi attack, according to broadcast reports today.

Rice told President Obama not to consider her for the nation’s top diplomatic post, saying the political battle over her confirmations would be too brutal.

“That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country,” Rice wrote in a letter to the president. “Therefore, I respectfully request that you no longer consider my candidacy at this time.”

Rice is expected to expand on her comments in an interview with Brian Williams tonight on NBC’s “Rock Center With Brian Williams.”

Rice had been considered a leading contender to take Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s post. The former first lady has said she’ll step down at some point during President Obama’s second term.

Obama expressed his feelings about Rice bowing out of the race in a statement today.

“While I deeply regret the unfair and misleading attacks on Susan Rice in recent weeks, her decision demonstrates the strength of her character, and an admirable commitment to rise above the politics of the moment to put our national interests first,” Obama said.

“The American people can be proud to have a public servant of her caliber and character representing our country.”

But in recent months, Rice has become the unlikely political lightning rod in the deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11.

US Ambassador Christopher Stephens and three other members of the diplomatic mission were killed in that terrorist attack.

In the days immediately after the bloodshed, Rice parroted early intelligence reports that traced the attack to protests tied to a ridiculous anti-Islam movie “Innocence of Muslims.”

It’s since emerged that the Benghazi attacks were carried out by terrorists determined to spill American blood on the 9/11 anniversary.

Senate Republican critics of President Obama had vowed to block Rice’s nomination to Clinton’s spot.